Siena to Florence: Bus vs Train (2026 Practical Guide)

# Siena to Florence: Bus vs Train

The 75 km between Florence and Siena are among the most traveled in Tuscany. Here's the honest breakdown of every option — including the one most tourists never consider.

The short answer

Take the bus. It's faster, cheaper, and drops you closer to the centre of Siena than the train. The train requires a change in Empoli and takes 30–50 minutes longer.

Option 1: Bus (recommended)

Companies: Tiemme (Autolinee Toscane), FlixBus From: Florence Santa Maria Novella (SMN) bus station or Via Santa Caterina da Siena To: Siena Viale Toselli (main bus station, 10-minute walk from Piazza del Campo) Duration: 1h 15m–1h 30m Price: €9.50–14 one-way (Tiemme); €6–12 (FlixBus if booked early) Frequency: Every 30–60 minutes, 06:00–21:00 Tickets: Buy at the station, on board (cash), or via the Tiemme/FlixBus app

Why it's best: Direct, comfortable, air-conditioned, drops you at the edge of the centro storico. No hill climb from the train station.

Option 2: Train

Route: Florence SMN → Empoli → Siena Duration: 1h 30m–1h 50m (with change) Price: €10.50–13 one-way Frequency: Every 1–2 hours Tickets: Trenitalia app, station machines, or online

Why it's worse: You must change trains in Empoli. The Siena station is at the bottom of a steep hill — it's a 20-minute uphill walk to Piazza del Campo, or a €10–15 taxi ride.

When to use it: Only if you're already at the Florence train station with time to kill and don't mind the change.

Option 3: Car

Route: A1 (Firenze Sud) → Firenze-Siena motorway → Siena Nord or Siena Sud Duration: 1h–1h 15m Cost: Fuel + tolls ~€15–20 each way; parking in Siena €2–3/hour or €25–40/day Parking: Santa Caterina (near the escalators to centro), Il Campo, Stadio

Why consider it: Flexibility for Chianti stops (Greve, Radda, Castellina) en route. Why skip it: ZTL (restricted traffic zone) in Siena centro — automatic fines of €80+ if you cross the boundary without a permit. Park outside the walls.

Option 4: Private transfer / taxi

Duration: 1h 15m door-to-door Price: €120–180 one-way for up to 3 people; €150–220 for 4–8 people Book: Through your hotel, GetYourGuide, or a local NCC (rental with driver)

When to use it: Groups of 3+, travelers with mobility issues, or if you're staying at an agriturismo with no bus access.

Comparison table

| Factor | Bus | Train | Car | Private Transfer | |---|---|---|---|---| | Duration | 1h15m | 1h50m | 1h15m | 1h15m | | Price (one-way) | €9.50–14 | €10.50–13 | €15–20 + parking | €120–220 | | Comfort | ★★★ | ★★ | ★★ | ★★★★ | | Centro access | Excellent | Poor | Good (if parked right) | Excellent | | Scenic value | ★★ | ★ | ★★★★ | ★★★ | | Best for | Most travelers | Train lovers | Chianti day-trippers | Groups / luxury |

Buying tickets

• Tiemme bus: tiemmespa.it or the "tiemme spa" app. Tickets are valid for 90 minutes from validation.
• FlixBus: flixbus.com — book in advance for the lowest fares.
• Trenitalia: trenitalia.com or the Trenitalia app. Regional tickets don't require seat reservations.

Pro tips

• Book the 09:00 or 10:00 bus from Florence if you're doing a day trip — you'll arrive in Siena for coffee and still have a full day.
• The return bus fills up on Sunday evenings and during the Palio (July 2, August 16). Book at least a day ahead.
• If you have luggage: the bus has an underfloor compartment. The train has overhead racks but you'll carry bags up the hill in Siena.

Related guides

• Siena day trip from Florence
• Best day trip from Siena with no car
• How many days in Siena
• Siena to San Gimignano

Final word

Take the bus. It's the choice locals make when they go to Florence for the day. Write us at redazione@visitsienaguide.it if you need help with connections.